Sabit Bagirov: “Armenia’s mining industry must suspend activities posing the risk of an environmental catastrophe”

Authoritative expert Sabit Bagirov, who heads the Foundation for the Promotion of Entrepreneurship and Market Economy, in an exclusive interview with Turan sheds light on the country's upcoming role as the organizer of the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29).

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- As known, the next Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) will be held in Baku in November 2024. How would you assess the upcoming event? What does it mean for our country and people?

- This will be the first time an international event of such proportions will be held in our country. The decision to hold this conference in Azerbaijan is evidence of confidence in our country’s abilities, and we may be proud of that. Tens of thousands of foreign visitors are expected to come to our country over the course of two weeks. More than 100 heads of state and government, representatives of many influential international organizations, media and leading scientists will visit Baku and then share their impressions about our country. The organization and holding of such a large-scale and significant event will certainly contribute to improving the infrastructure of our city, creating thousands of jobs, increasing the incomes of hotels, restaurants, shopping centers and even taxi drivers. There is no doubt that the number of tourists visiting our country will also increase. Of course, these two weeks will not be easy for the city population, but the inconvenience we may have to face will be less significant in comparison with the growth of our country’s international influence and real dividends of the event. Do not forget about the political dividends for the country. In the light of all these factors, I consider this decision of the United Nations to be an important milestone for our country. I would like to congratulate the President of Azerbaijan on this result, which was certainly not easy to achieve.

- What is behind your interest in climate change and environmental protection in recent years? After all, your interests have always been focused on issues related to economic development and improvement of the business climate?

- The focus of our organization has not changed and remains the same. The range of our interests has simply expanded. As known, greenhouse gas emissions are on the list of causes of global climate change. These are carbon dioxide, methane and some other gases. What sources are they emitted into the atmosphere from? These are public and private enterprises, transport, energy, agriculture and other economic activities. The gradual warming of our planet has been observed since the beginning of the industrial era. Over the last hundred years, the average annual temperature on the planet has risen by almost one degree. In fact, growth is observed in the pace of this process. It is also growing. So what to do? Should we stop industrial enterprises, cars, planes and various economic entities? No government will ever go for it. What then? In developed and developing countries, we observe progress in such areas as “green economy” and “green” energy. Companies are starting to base their work on new principles, a new philosophy. Its essence is in the formula of environmental-social-corporate management. In other words, companies must comply both with the principles and standards of environmental, social and corporate governance. These are the so-called ESG principles. These principles were first proposed by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. He suggested that leaders of transnational companies first incorporate these principles into their climate change strategies. These principles have become popular and influential only in the last few years. It is expected that global funds will soon no longer provide financial resources to companies that do not adhere to these principles.

As you can see, all these issues correspond to the mission of our organization. Last year, our organization took part in a competition of grant projects announced by the Swiss Agency for Development and the Swiss Embassy in Azerbaijan. Having won this competition, we received support for a project called “Azerbaijan: Raising Public Awareness of How They Can Contribute to the Fight against Global Climate Change”. Within the framework of this project, we have already undertaken a number of initiatives: public meetings in seven cities and district centers of the country, discussions with renowned experts broadcast on YouTube, special training for journalists and a competition of journalistic articles. Our work is ongoing. 

- This year, a group of NGOs, including your organization, made statements on the problem of contamination of rivers bordering Armenia by toxic substances from its mining industry. You addressed international organizations. A number of demands to companies in Armenia were also voiced. How did all this end?

- To answer your question briefly, let me note that the call for companies so far remains unanswered. Under 26 contracts, Armenian mining companies are extracting gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc and other minerals from approximately 400 mines. Companies do this alone or in the form of consortia. The call urged companies to disclose their Environmental Impact Assessment documents, the so-called EIAs. It is these instruments that can make it possible to assess the risks of polluting trans-boundary rivers with harmful substances. These documents are not available on the companies' websites. This is sad. The contamination of trans-boundary rivers, including the Okchuchay, Bargushad and Hakari by Armenia’s mining industry could pose a serious threat to internally displaced persons returning to their places of origin. Therefore, the problem is extremely relevant and must be a priority for both our Government and our civil society institutions. Let me also note that environmental organizations in Armenia have also made numerous presentations on the environmental damage caused by the mining industry. In fact, the Armenian Environmental Front has even been established by a number of environmental NGOs. If these organizations are interested in cooperating, Azerbaijani NGOs will not refuse it because the problems of pollution are common to people and households in both countries. Armenia’s mining industry must suspend activities posing the risk of an environmental catastrophe.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to address our colleagues in Armenia and representatives of civil society and offer them cooperation in the interests of both countries and our common geography. Moreover, it is important to them in the first place. As the threat grows, the health situation in Armenia may also deteriorate. We intend to start contacts with foreign investors working in Armenia’s mining industry, their headquarters in Europe. They should not refuse to provide EIAs. These documents may not be secret. We have the right to know about the environmental consequences of their activities in accordance with the principles of the Espoo Convention.

- What are your plans for the near future?

- In the coming year, we intend to continue our work on two fronts. The first is global climate change and the second is about preserving the safety of our trans-boundary rivers. I am not ruling out other directions too.

Under the first direction, we intend to prepare recommendations to relevant authorities and have already started this work. In addition, we have a number of ideas for the application of ESG principles to Azerbaijani businesses, and we will look for a sponsor for their implementation. Unfortunately, some government agencies we approached have refused to support these ideas. They are probably not well informed about the development of the ESG approach in the world although this becomes even more relevant given that Azerbaijan will be hosting the COP29.

Under the second direction of our future activities, we have developed a number of proposals and already asked for support. I do hope that support will be provided. If this is the case, we will first try to assess the risks of pollution of our trans-boundary rivers by the mining industry. We hope to be able to obtain the necessary information, including the EIAs. We are also ready to meet with foreign investors of these companies if necessary. The possibility of establishing links with international organizations is also being considered. We consider it important to analyze and publicize the implementation of international instruments such as the United Nations Convention on the Protection and Use of Trans-boundary Waters and Lakes and the United Nations Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Trans-boundary Context (Espoo Convention). We are also considering the preparation of proposals to strengthen the environmental protection requirements of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), hold an international conference with the participation of PWYP, discuss relevant proposals at this conference and present them to the EITI Board.

Let me note that we are working closely with renowned local experts in all these areas.